Evolution of Kilt Stocking/hose.

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In considering what was common practice in the past people often incorrectly overlay their modern experience leading to erroneous conclusions.

We are discussing traditional patterned (diced or tartan) hose versus socks, not modern Highland wear socks also called hose, a nod to the past. References from the 18th century show that the military was issued cloth to make diced hose, the First Statistical Account similarly mentions farm workers making hose from cloth. From a practical perspective, cloth hose are much harder wearing than knitted ones, they are also easier and quicker to make so would have been the foot cover of choice/practicality for most people in the Highlands who were relatively poor. The gentry may/would have have worn knitted hose, either fine wool or silk, when wearing non-Highland clothing which they undoubtedly did at times, especially outside the Highlands. George IV’s ‘tights’ would have been silk rather than wool.

No dice or tartan hose are known to survive before the late 18th century. Notwithstanding the attribution of the hose shown by Fred as having been worn at Culloden they were not, they are Wilsons’ cloth c1800 +/- 20 years. Wilsons’ records contain several hose patterns showing that cloth hose were still widely worn in the early 19th century. We get an idea of what non-Highland clothing comprised from examination of the few examples from bog burials. The Arnish Moor (Lewis) man wore long knitted hose, as did the Gunnister (Shetland) man whereas the man found at Barrock (Caithness) wore cloth hose.